Ergonomic earpiece

ABSTRACT

An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. The earpiece has a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A generally vertical rib extends substantially between the upper and lower ends of the generally arcuate rib. A lobe is formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is similarly formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation patent application that claimsthe benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/852,179, filed onAug. 6, 2010, which is a continuation patent application that claims thebenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.: 11/236,969, filed on Sep.27, 2005, which claims the benefit of the priority date of U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/613,742, filed on Sep. 27,2004. The entire contents of these patent applications are herebyexpressly incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to earpieces used by security,law enforcement, and military personnel to facilitate listening totwo-way radios. The present invention relates more particularly to anergonomic earpiece that has a smooth bend instead of the lower lobe ofcontemporary earpieces, so as to enhance fit and comfort.

BACKGROUND

Earpieces for use by security, law enforcement, and military personnelare well known. Such earpieces fit into the conchae bowl of the ear andfacilitate listening to two-way radios and the like. Typically, theseearpieces have a short length of coiled acoustic tubing attachedthereto. A speaker at one end of the acoustic tubing, transmits soundthrough the acoustic tubing to the eardrum. The speaker has anelectrical cable that connects it to the two-way radio.

Such contemporary earpieces typically comprise a generally arcuate ribconnected to a generally vertical rib so as to define a D shape. A toplobe is formed at the top, near where the arcuate rib and the generallyvertical rib intersect. Similarly, a bottom lobe is formed at thebottom, near where the arcuate rib and the generally vertical ribintersect.

In many instances, when the arcuate rib is too large for the conchae,the arcuate rib bends and forces the lower lobe against the ear. Thelower lobe can rub the ear, causing pain and sometimes even tissuedamage and/or infection. That is, if an earpiece is used that is toolarge for the ear, then the generally arcuate rib can collapse as theoversized earpiece is forced into the ear. When the generally arcuaterib collapses, then the lower lobe can torque, twist, bend or otherwisemove or deform in a manner that can cause discomfort, pain, and/ortissue damage, particularly with prolonged usage.

Moreover, the discomfort caused by such contemporary earpieces can be asubstantial disadvantage. Not only can the discomfort be a motivationfor removing the earpiece, but it can be a dangerous distraction.Because of the discomfort, a wearer can be caused to consciously orunconsciously manipulate the earpiece. That is, the wearer may move theearpiece in an attempt to relieve the discomfort that it causes. Indoing this, the wearer can be distracted. As those skilled in the artwill appreciate, such a distraction can be very dangerous to security,law enforcement, and military personnel. Many times, it is importantthat such people give there full attention to their environment, sincetheir life may very well depend upon their ability to do so. Anydistraction can have severe consequences.

Thus, although such contemporary earpieces have proved generallysuitable for their intended purpose, they do have characteristics thattend to detract from their overall effectiveness and desirability.Moreover, is desirable to provide an earpiece that does not rub the ear,even when the arcuate rib bends substantially because the arcuate rib istoo large for the ear.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An earpiece substantially lacking a lower lobe is disclosed. Theearpiece can have a smooth bend instead of the lower lobe ofcontemporary earpieces. That is, the lower lobe can be either completelyor partially absent. In this manner, disadvantages associated with thelower lobe can be mitigated, while still providing an earpiece thatfunctions as desired.

More particularly, the earpiece can comprise a generally arcuate ribhaving upper and lower ends, a generally vertical rib extendingsubstantially between the upper and lower ends, and a lobe formed at theupper end of the arcuate rib. A smooth bend can be formed at the lowerend of the arcuate rib (where the lower lobe is in contemporaryearpieces). The earpiece can be configured to be generally shaped like aD.

The earpiece can further comprise a protrusion or stem having a boreformed therethrough, the protrusion being configured to extend at leastpartially into the ear canal. The bore can transmit sound, such as froma two-way radio, to the wearer's eardrum.

The earpiece can be formed of a resilient polymer. For example, theearpiece can be formed of a resilient polymer having a Shore A durometerof between 35 and 45. More particularly, the earpiece can be formed of aresilient polymer having a Shore A durometer of approximately 40.

The earpiece can be configured to be captured by protrusions of theconchae. For example, the earpiece can be configured to be captured atleast partially by the antihelix of the ear and/or by other anatomicalstructures of the ear.

The generally arcuate rib can bend to accommodate a wide range of earsizes. More particularly, the generally arcuate rib can collapse so asto accommodate a range of ear sizes. Thus, the earpiece can deform so asto facilitate the use of a single size thereof with ear's (particularthe conchae bowls and proximate anatomical structures) that have a widerange of sizes.

One embodiment of the earpiece can be configured to fit at least extralarge sized ears. Similarly, one embodiment of the earpiece can beconfigured to fit at least extra large sized ears and large sized ears.Moreover, a single size of the earpiece can configured to fit most adultears. For example, the earpiece can be configured to fit at least 70% ofears of men between 19 and 40 years old. Bending of the vertical rib andlack of the lower lobe cooperate to facilitate the fitting of such alarge range of sizes.

According to one embodiment, the present invention comprises a portablecommunication system comprising a radio and also comprising an earpiecehaving a smooth bend instead of a lower lobe. The present invention cansimilarly be used with cellular telephones, MP3 players, and the like.

According to one embodiment, the present invention comprises a methodfor using an earpiece wherein the method comprises inserting an earpieceinto the conchae of an ear, the earpiece having a generally arcuate ribthat is sized such that it deforms when the earpiece is inserted intothe ear, deformation of the earpiece not causing a lobe of the earpieceto give discomfort to the wearer.

The earpiece of the present invention enhances comfort during use byeliminating or substantially reducing the lower lobe. Thus, a potentialsource of discomfort, irritation, pain, tissue damage and even infectionis mitigated.

This invention will be more fully understood in conjunction with thefollowing detailed description taken together with the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the inboard (toward the head) side of acontemporary left earpiece having a lower lobe (the opposite or outboardside being substantially the same as the inboard side, but lacking theprotrusion that goes into the ear);

FIG. 2A is a side view of the inboard side of a left earpiece that has asmooth bend where the lower lobe of a contemporary earpiece is located,and thus substantially lacks the lower lobe, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the outboard side of the left earpiece of FIG.2A, showing the bore in dashed lines;

FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the left earpiece of FIG. 2A, showing thebore in dashed lines; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the earpiece of FIGS. 2A-2C attached toacoustic tubing via a barbed fitting, having a speaker also attached tothe acoustic tubing, the speaker having a plug for attachment to atwo-way radio, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are bestunderstood by referring to the detailed description that follows. Itshould be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identifylike elements illustrated in one or more of the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, a contemporary earpiece comprises a generallyarcuate rib 11 and a generally vertical rib 12. A top lobe 15 is formedat the top, near where the arcuate rib 11 and the generally vertical rib12 intersect. Similarly, a bottom lobe 16 is formed at the bottom, nearwhere the arcuate rib 11 and the generally vertical rib 12 intersect. Aprotrusion or stem 20 extends away from the vertical rib 12 and isconfigured to enter the ear canal. A bore 21 formed in the stem 20transmits sound to a point proximate the eardrum. Acoustic tubingattaches to the earpiece such that a generally contiguous sound channelis formed by the acoustic tubing and bore 21. One example of such anearpiece is manufactured by SureFire LLC of Fountain Valley, Calif.(formerly EarPro of Costa Mesa, Calif.). Such earpieces are also sold byMotorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Ill. An example of such an earpiece can beseen at the EarPro website athttp://www.earprocom.com/store/item-detail.cfm?ID=NE1&storeid=1&Cat=EC1.

As mentioned above, in many instances, the arcuate rib 11 can be toolarge for the conchae. In such instances arcuate rib 11 bends andthereby urges lower lobe 16 against the ear. The pressure of lower lobe16 against the ear can cause discomfort. During extended wear, thisgenerally constant pressure can become substantially painful. It canresult in tissue damage that can cause further pain. Infection can evenresult.

It has previously been though that lower lobe 16 was necessary tomaintain the earpiece securely within the wearer's ear. However, asdiscussed below, the present invention comprises an earpiece that lacksthe lower lobe, yet remains securely within the wearer's ear.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, according to one aspect of the presentinvention the lower lobe (such as lower lobe 16 of the contemporaryearpiece of FIG. 1), is omitted. Rather, instead of such a lower lobe, asmooth rounded surface 17 is provided. The smooth rounded surface doesnot extend substantially away from the intersection of the arcuate rib11 and the vertical rib 12 in the manner that a lobe does.

Since the earpiece of the present invention lacks such a lower lobe, itcan be used in a substantially wider range of ear sizes withoutcompromising comfort or safety in the way that a contemporary earpiecemay. That is, a single size of earpiece may be used to fit moredifferent sizes of ears.

When an earpiece of the present invention is used in an ear where thegenerally arcuate rib 11 is too large for the ear (does not fit withinthe conchae without substantial deformation), the generally arcuate ribmerely bends or collapses without adverse affect. Since there is nolower lobe, there is consequently no rubbing and no cause of discomfort.

Thus, at least one embodiment of the present invention comprises anearpiece substantially lacking a lower lobe. The lower lobe can beeliminated altogether or partially. The earpiece can have a smooth bendinstead the lower lobe of contemporary earpieces. In this manner,disadvantages associated with the lower lobe can be mitigated, whilestill providing an earpiece that functions as desired.

Thus, the earpiece can comprise a generally arcuate rib 11 having upperand lower ends, a generally vertical rib 12 extending substantiallybetween the upper and lower ends, and a lobe 15 is formed at the upperend of the arcuate rib 11. A smooth bend 17 can be formed at the lowerend of the arcuate rib 11. The earpiece can be configured to begenerally shaped like a D. However, those skilled in the art willappreciate that other embodiments are likewise suitable. For example,either the vertical rib 12 or the arcuate rib 11 can be modifiedsubstantially or omitted.

The earpiece can further comprise a protrusion or stem 20 having a bore21 formed therethrough. The protrusion 20 can be configured to extend atleast partially into the ear canal. The bore can transmit sound, such asfrom a two-way radio to the wearer's eardrum.

The earpiece can be formed of a resilient polymer. For example, theearpiece can be formed of a resilient polymer having a Shore A durometerof between 35 and 45. More particularly, the earpiece can be formed of aresilient polymer having a Shore A durometer of approximately 40.Alternatively, the earpiece can be formed of a more rigid material.

The earpiece can be configured to be captured by protrusions of theconchae. For example, the earpiece can be configured to be captured atleast partially by the antihelix of the ear and/or other anatomicalstructures of the ear that are proximate or within the conchae bowl. Inthis manner, the earpiece is held securely in place during use.

The generally arcuate rib 11 can bend to accommodate a wide range of earsizes. For example, the generally arcuate rib 11 can collapse so as toaccommodate a range of ear sizes. Such collapsing of the earpiece ismade substantially more comfortable by the lack or partial lack of thelower lobe. That is, as the generally arcuate rib 11 collapses, there isno lower lobe or not enough lower lobe to torque, twist, bend, orotherwise move or deform in a manner that can cause discomfort.

One embodiment of the earpiece can be configured to fit at least extralarge sized ears. Similarly, one embodiment of the earpiece can beconfigured to fit at least extra large sized ears and a large sizedears. Moreover, a single embodiment of the earpiece can configured tofit most adult ears. For example, the earpiece can be configured to fitat least 70% of ears of men between 19 and 40 years old. Bending of thevertical rib and lack of the lower lobe cooperate to facilitate thefitting of such a large range of sizes.

According to one embodiment, the present invention comprises a portablecommunication system comprising a radio and also comprising an earpiecehaving a smooth bend instead of a lower lobe, as described above.Further, the earpiece of the present invention can be used inapplications other than security, law enforcement and militaryapplication. For example, the earpiece of the present invention can beused with cellular telephone and portable music devices (such as CDplayer and MP3 players). A speaker can be in acoustic communication withthe bore of the earpiece via acoustic tubing or the like. Alternatively,a speaker can be attached directly to the earpiece, such as by mountingthe speaker to the earpiece or by placing the speaking inside orpartially inside of the earpiece.

The earpiece can also be used as a sound attenuating earplug, such as byconfiguring the protrusion to seal or partially seal the ear.Alternatively, a member that seal or partially seals the ear can beadded to the earpiece.

Thus, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, anearpiece is provided that is substantially more comfortable to wear.Because it is more comfortable to wear, there is less tendency for awearer to remove of manipulate (such as adjusting to try to make morecomfortable). Thus, the wearer is less likely to be distracted by theearpiece. This can be important, particularly in security, lawenforcement, and military applications were distraction can endanger thewearer's life.

Since less material is used (because a portion of the earpiece isreduced in size or eliminated), the earpiece can be less expensive tomanufacture. Since such earpieces are frequently purchase in bulk, suchas by police departments and the military, such cost savings can besubstantial.

Further, since a single earpiece fits a greater range of ear sizes,fewer earpieces need to be inventoried by law enforcement departmentsand the like. Such reduction in inventory may save such agenciessubstantial money.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the earpiece of the present invention can beattached to acoustic tubing 32, such as via a barbed fitting 31. A strap34 can be used to secure acoustic tubing 32 to a wearer's clothing, suchas via a clip 34. A speaker 35 converts electrical signals received viaelectrical cable 37 from a two-way radio 41 into sound that istransmitted to the eardrum via acoustic tubing 32 and via bore 21 (FIGS.2A-2C) of the earpiece. A plug 38 can be used to connect electricalcable 37 to two-way radio 41.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an earpiecethat is more comfortable, less costly, easier to inventory, and yeteffective for use according to its intended purpose.

1. An earpiece comprising: a generally arcuate rib having upper andlower ends; a protrusion coupled between the upper and lower ends of thearcuate rib and configured to extend at least partially into an earcanal; an acoustic tubing coupled substantially at the protrusion via abarbed fitting; and wherein the arcuate rib and the lobe are configuredto be captured by a conchae of an ear to secure the protrusion and atleast a portion of the acoustic tubing to or within the ear.